The House Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously Wednesday for House Bill 610, which would issue $31 million in bonds for a new five-story building on the University of Mississippi Medical Center campus in Jackson.

Officials said the project's price tag has risen to $76 million from the $63 million previously estimated. Lawmakers and Gov. Phil Bryant's administration have already provided $14 million for the project.

Committee Chairman Jeff Smith, a Columbus Republican, said House lawmakers intend to provide another $31 million next year.

Dr. Louann Woodward, UMC's associate vice chancellor, said the money is enough to begin constructing the building. She says site work is likely to begin in late spring.

A Justice Department civil rights investigation has concluded that the Ferguson Police Department and the city's municipal court engaged in a "pattern and practice" of discrimination against African-Americans, targeting them disproportionately for tr...